Blood sample handling apparatus



March 17, 1970 GRANTHAM 3,501,131

BLOOD SAMPLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 DATE DAY MONTH YEAR s-uo I 5-10 4-6-61 u-sA NOTES D PLATE D RECT El LEEWITE I: 5!: RA

L INVENTOR. FIG-Z 00mm RALPH GflM/Ml/f March 17, 1970 D. R. GRANTHAM 3,501,131

BLOOD SAMPLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed July 23, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 26 O/VALD RALPH @ZI/WZ J/ March 17, 1970 o. R. GRANTHAM 3,501,131

BLOOD SAMPLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed July 25, 196B s Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VENTOR.

DOA/A10 RALPH 664%5'410/ S W ZM United States Patent O 3,501,131 BLOOD SAMPLE HANDLING APPARATUS Donald Ralph Grantham, Miami Springs, Fla., assignor to Coulter Electronics, Inc., Hialeah, Fla., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 23, 1968, Ser. No. 746,788 Int. Cl. 1301f 11/00 US. Cl. 259-55 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An elongate liquid sample container handling apparatus in the form of a tray with oppositely disposed tracks along the elongate dimension thereof for receiving a plurality of containers in side-by-side relationship. Flexible retaining tongues are provided at one end of the tray to prevent the containers from moving out of the tray except upon pressure of a container being manually pulled outward from said tray. An automatic rocking apparatus is adapted to receive said tray and rock the same along the lengthwise centerline thereof to permit convenient removal of said containers from the tray while the same is in motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to container handling apparatuses and, more particularly, to an apparatus for handling liquid sample containers and for enabling the containers and the contents thereof to be kept in constant agitation until the containers are removed from said apparatus.

The invention herein is intended to meet the requirements of one aspect of a sample testing system for use in industry or medicine where small quantities of raw fluids must be kept mixed until processed, as for example, by dilution with different reagents, and then tested. Many aspects of industry require sampling and testing of liquids which must be kept agitated. Likewise, an important part of diagnosis and treatment of diseases is the testing of fluid samples taken from patients. The most common fluid upon which such tests are performed is blood, most hematology laboratories being required to perform several in dependent tests on a sample of blood from each patient. Blood presents diificulties in proper mixing and must receive suflicient agitation to insure that aliquot portions removed are truly representative of the entire sample.

Since the invention herein was developed primarily for use in handling biological fluids such as blood, the description will be particularly directed to this application, but it is to be understood that this is not intended as limiting, and is only by way of example. The invention herein may be used in conjunction with containers which retain any fluid which must be kept in constant agitation until the said testing is initiated.

As common in hospitals or clinics, an attending nurse or technician moves from patient to patient and draws samples of blood from these patients. These samples are to be tested at a location usually remote from the patients. These blood samples are retained in containers, most commonly elongate test tubes having rubber stoppers. The containers each have suitable identification indicia affixed or attached thereto having the patients name or number, test description information and may have a blank area within which test results may be recorded.

Since blood contains approximately fifty percent solids, it is necessary to effect mixing of the ingredients of the sample in order to insure that the portion removed for analysis will be representative of the entire sample. Further, the commonly used test tube containers are difficult to handle when more than a few are gathered at one time. Test tube racks or holders may conveniently be used to facilitate handling and storage of the containers in orderly fashion until each is removed for testing of the contents thereof, but it is also important that the contents of the test tubes completely be mixed before removal for testing. Thus, it is desirable to have an apparatus which is sufiiciently portable and compact to permit efficient handling by a person who moves from patient to patient gathering samples. Such apparatus must support the containers in orderly fashion to enable facile handling thereof.

Further, it is desirable to have such apparatus which is adapted for removable attachment to a rocking device in close proximity to the testing station. Such device automatically will keep the containers in constant motion to effect gentle and complete mixing of the contents thereof until each is removed by a test operator.

An important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of enabling the constant mixing of the contents of a plurality of sample containers while the same are awaiting selection for testing. As a result of the invention, high speed and efficient gathering and handling of samples is feasible, with many other incidental benefits.

Many other objects will become apparent from the discussion and description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective -view of the apparatus of the invention showing a container-retaining tray positioned on an automatic rocking device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and in the direction indicated.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a container with an identification card attached thereto for use in conjunction with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the structure of FIG. 1 showing the operating parts of the rocking mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the container retaining tray of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, but illustrating an alternative embodiment of the container tray of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the container tray illustrated in FIG. 6, the same being shown with sample containers retained thereon.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of 'FIG. 5, but illustrating still another form of the container tray of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, one embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference character 20 in FIG. 1. Apparatus 20 includes a container retaining tray 22 of generally elongate configuration having opposite open ends 24, 26 and closed sides formed by walls 28, 30 respectively. A pair of flanges 32, 34 are formed normal to walls 28, 30 respectively and extend along approximately one half the length of said walls 28, 30. The said flanges 32, 34 and side walls 28, 30 cooperate, along with bottom Walls 50, 52 to form a pair of parallel, C-shaped tracks 60, 62. The said tracks 60, 62 are substantially enclosed along that portion of the length of tray 22 which has the flanges 32, 34. The said tracks 60, 62 are open from the open end 24 of tray 22 to the flanges 32, 34. A pair of upstanding guide rails 64, 66 extend along the length of tracks 60, 62 normal to bottom walls '50, 52 thereof.

A recessed channel 44 is formed in the bottom of the tray 22 between tracks 60, 62. The said channel 44 comprises the bottom wall 46 and side walls 48, 49. A semicircular cut-out portion 70 is provided in the bottom wall 46 of the channel 44 at the open end 26 thereof for a purpose to be described.

Looking now at FIG. 3, there is illustrated a typical container 36 used by medical laboratories for purposes of collecting blood samples. Container 36 may comprise a conventional glass test tube 38 having a rubber stopper 40 to seal the contents. Attached to the container 36, by suitable means such as pressure sensitive adhesive tape is a test data report card 42 used for recording information relative to the contents of container 36. A typical card 42 would include space for the patients name or identification number, test description information and may have a blank area within which test results may be recorded. The design of the information recording spaces on card 42 is not critical to the operation of this invention and is shown and described solely for purposes of illustration. Test card 42 is of rectangular configuration with a short dimension substantially the same as, but no wider than the channel formation 44 in tray 22.

In use, a technician or other person responsible for gathering containers holding sample solutions to be tested, such as containers 36, would move from patient to patient drawing blood and gradually filling the tray 22 with the containers thereof. The technician fills out the cards 42 and attaches them to the proper containers and thereafter lays each container 36 in the tray 22, with card 42 disposed face-up toward the open end 24 (FIG. 1). Tubes 36 would be deposited in the open portions of tracks 60, 62, such that the ends of the tube 36 rest on rails 64, 66 and card 42 rests in channel 44 with the printed side showing. The technician keeps the tray 22 tilted so that open end 26 is at a lower level than end 24, thus causing tubes 36 to slide down the rails of tray 22 toward end 26 thereof. When the technician draws the sample, this is done into a tube having an anti-coagulant already in the tube. The technician mixes the blood with several back and forth movements of the Wrist. In this mixed condition, the blood will not settle out until carried to the laboratory, but there it must be kept in constant motion.

Positioned proximate to the open end 26 of the tray 22 are upstanding retaining tongues 90 and 92 which partially block the exit of tubes 36 from tray 22. The tongues 90, 92 are secured to bottom walls 50, 52 of tracks 60, 62 but do not completely close off the opening formed by said grooves. The tongues 90, 92 are formed of spring metal and return to their original positions after being flexed. The technician will grasp the end tube 36 with two fingers and pull the same from the tray past the spring tongues 90, 92 to remove it. The tongues 90, 92 will spring back to their original disposition partially blocking the exit from the tray of the remaining containers 36 and preventing the remaining containers from falling out. Cutout portion 70 in channel 44 is provided to facilitate manual grasping of tube 36 by the person who desires to remove same from tray 22. Movement of the tray during gathering samples agitates the same.

The tray 22 is of such configuration that the same may conveniently be stacked upon another of like construction if the number of sample containers to be gathered exceeds the capacity of one tray. In stacking the trays, the lower portion of channel 44 will fit between the C-shaped tracks 60, 62 to prevent one tray from sliding relative the other.

After loading the tray or trays 22, the technician carries the same to the testing station Where each container 36 will be removed seriatim from tray 22 for purposes of testing the contents thereof. Rocking apparatus 100 is provided to retain tray 22 and containers 36 in constant motion so as to achieve proper mixing of the samples until tested.

Rocking apparatus 100 includes a base housing 110 of substantially box-like configuration. The upper most portion of housing 110 includes a pair of sloped top walls 112, 114 which terminate in a ridge 116 along the center of the longitudinal dimension of housing 110. Side walls 118, 120 of housing are generally triangular so that the housing is higher at one end 122 than at the opposite end 124. Thus, housing 110 gives the appearance somewhat of structure having a gabled roof which slopes downward from rear to front.

A motor mounting wall 130 is disposed intermediate and parallel to side wall 118, 120 of housing 110. Mounting wall extends from ridge 116 of top walls 112, 114 down to the fioor 132 of housing 110. One half 139 of a hinge member 140 is mounted on wall 130 adjacent ridge 116. The other half 1 41 of hinge .140 extends beyond ridge 116 for a purpose to be described. A rocking standard is positioned above housing 110 as shown in FIG. 4. Platform 150 is of elongate configuration with upstanding end flanges 152 disposed at the edges of the base 156 of standard 150. The said standard 150 is mounted to portion 141 of hinge 140 along the elongate axis of said standard. The dimensions of standard 150 are such that tray 22 can slidably be disposed thereupon as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Mounted to the underside of standard 150 is an L- shaped clip having one leg 181 extending normal to wall 156. A spring 182 is affixed to leg 181 in any suitable manner at 183, such as by a nut. The opposite end 184 of clip 180 is affixed to mounting wall 130 in similar fashion. A slot is provided in upper wall 112 of housing 110 to permit passage of spring 182 from the base 156 of standard 150 to mounting wall 130.

A motor 200 is mounted on wall 130 with drive shaft 202 extending normal to said wall 130. Motor 200 is operated electrically by a source of current sup lied through electrical cord 204 which extends outside of housing 110 through aperture 101 provided at a convenient location in housing 110. A substantially square cam 210 is mounted at its center to shaft 202. Rollers 220 are mounted to the four corners of cam 210 by rivets which permit free rolling of rollers 220.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, cam 210 is mounted so as to permit one peak 230 thereof to extend above wall 112 through slot 190 of housing 100 when the same is rotated to its high point. When the said cam 210 is at its low point (not shown) approximately one-eighth revolution from that shown in FIG. 4, edge 252 will be disposed parallel to the plane defined by the base 156 of standard 150. In operation, cam 210 repeatedly presents a low-to-high point beyond the upper wall 112 of housing 110. Spring 182 retains standard 150 in slanted position adjacent wall 112 of housing 110. When motor 200 is in operation, however, cam 210 rotates from high point 230 to low point 252, thus moving standard 150 in rocking fashion back and forth about the longitudinal axis thereof.

In use, housing 110 is placed adjacent the station at which liquid samples are to be tested. The technician places the tray 22, fully loaded with containers 36, on standard 150. Hook 260, attached to the base 156 of standard 150 by suitable means such as rivets 261, prevents the tray from sliding off of standard 150. The angle of tilt of standard 150 causes containers 36 to slide down toward open end 26 of tray 22 where the containers easily can be removed therefrom as previously described.

The motor 200 next is energized so as to cause cam 210 to rotate. This, in turn, causes standard 150 to rock, thus effecting rocking of tray 22. The containers 36 are retained in constant motion until each is removed seriatim from the tray 22 by the technician. The effect is to provide proper mixing of the samples in said containers as desired.

Rocking of standard 150 and tray 22 is effected about the elongate axis of tray 22. Thus, the locus of points on the containers 36 defined by said elongate axis remains immobile and, consequently, convenient grasping of the containers at this point is facilitated There is no need for the technician to follow the motion of the tray in order to grasp and remove a container thereform.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative means of retaining the containers 36 in tray 22. Spring 280, loops over and around rails 64, 66 and rises to crests 282, 284 in the vicinity where tubes 36 will lie on said rails. The spring member 280 is return bent around rails 64, 66 and enters suitable apertures 290 in said rails where it isagain reverse bent to form a joining portion 292. Spring 280 conveniently can be pinched and removed from tray 22 if replacement is necessitated due to loss of elasticity or breakage thereof. The crest portions 282, 284 extend above rails 64, 66 substantially the same distance as tongues 90, 92 shown in FIG. 2, to facilitate the same purposes attendant with said clips described above.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, there is illustrated an alternative form of tray 22. Tray 300 differs from tray 22 in that the former is of arcuate configuration. Tray 300' is adapted for use with containers 336 which do not have cards 42 attached thereto. The containers 336 are identified as to patient, tests, etc. by small tags or indicia (not shown) inscribed directly to said tubes. The curvature of tray 300 is intended to approximate the curvature a plurality of containers 336 would assume where the same are disposed side by side as shown. In such case, the ends of tubes 336 with stoppers 338 inserted therein would define a radius of curvature greater than that defined by the opposite ends 340. Thus, the curved tray 300 permits handling of containers 336 in arcuate configuration where the same are used without cards 42.

The tray 300 has tongues 350, 352 at one end thereof which extend normal to the floor 354 of tray 300 The tongues 350, 352 serve containers 336 from sliding out of tray 300 when the same is tilted. Flanges 360, 362 extend only part way toward the open end 364 of tray 300 so as to permit removal of containers 336 from tray 300 as desired, somewhat in the same fashion as from the structure illustrated in FIG. 1. A rail 366 is provided along the floor 354 of tray 300 adjacent flange 362 which is concidental with the longer radius of curvature of said tray 300. The said rail 366 permits the caps of stoppers 338 to clear floor 354 so that the tubes 336 will roll freely within the tray 300.

Tray 300 will be used in substantially the same manner as tray 22, except for-the manner of facilitating rocking of said tray on rocking device 100. When tray 300 is used, rocking device 100 will be provided with an arcuate standard (not shown) adapted to receive said tray 300 thereon. Rocking action will be effected in this case along the axis of tray 300 Which is normal to edge 380 of said tray. Thus, the mid-point of tubes 336 adjacent members 350, 352 will remain immobile to facilitate grasping of said tubes by a technician who is to remove the same from tray 300.

It is believed that the invention in its various embodiments has been sufficiently described to enable the skilled artisan to understand and practice the same. The invention is capable of substantial variation without departing from the spirit thereof. Modifications and changes will thus occur to those who understand this art.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A liquid sample container handling apparatus for retaining a plurality of containers and permitting seriatim removal therefrom comprising:

(A) an elongate tray for retaining said containers in side-by-side relationship along the length of the tray,

(B) means proximate one end of said tray for permitting manual removal of the end container therefrom but preventing the remaining containers from independently leaving said tray, and

(C) tray retaining means adapted removably to receive said tray thereupon, and

(D) means in contact with said tray retaining means for rocking said tray about the lengthwise centerline thereof so that said containers can be removed seriatim from said tray while the same is rocking.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said tray rocking means comprise a base housing having motor driven cam means, said tray retaining means being hingedly connected to said base housing juxtaposed said cam means, and spring means retaining said tray retaining means in constant contact with said cam, said cam being offset from the lengthwise centerline of said tray.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said cam is of substantially square configuration and has cam rollers at each corner thereof.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said containers comprise elongate tubes having identification indicia affixed thereto.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said indicia are carried by elongate cards secured to said tubes.

6. A liquid sample container handling apparatus for retaining a plurality of containers and permitting seriatim removal therefrom, comprising:

(A) an elongate tray having an upwardly opening configuration and having (i) means permitting introduction of containers at one end thereof, and (ii) means for enabling said containers to slide sideways along the length of the tray to the second end thereof,

(B) said tray being substantially arcuate in configuration and said containers having cover portions of greater radial dimension than said containers, said means for enabling sliding of said containers comprising an upstanding guide rail on the floor of said tray adjacent one elongate edge thereof to allow clearance of said cover portions and thereby permit sliding of said containers, and

(C) means at said second end stopping said containers from moving out of said tray, whereby a plurality of said containers may be carried in side-by-side relationship along the length of said tray with the containers arranged substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise center line of said tray.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT W. JENKINS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 22ll94 

